Goldsboro chase suspect faces murder charge

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Goldsboro, N.C. — Goldsboro police said Wednesday that a man shot during a home invasion last Thursday died of his injuries, and they have upgraded charges against the shooting suspect, who was arrested after an approximately 20-mile chase.

Onza Lee Brown Jr., 33, of 504 Park Ave., now faces one count of murder in the death of Howard Bennett Harper, 43.

Police said that a gunman broke into Harper's house at 123 Kathy Lane on Feb. 3, shot him and fired at a second man in the house, who was uninjured. Officers said they spotted a vehicle several hours later that matched the description of one used by the gunman, and Brown was arrested after a chase from Goldsboro to Smithfield.

Harper was flown to Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville but died of his injuries early last Friday.

Brown, who is being held without bond, will make his first court appearance on the murder charge Thursday.

He also faces charges of attempted murder, felony fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle and reckless driving to endanger.